# Academia de la Costa RD > Santo Domingo Oeste, Dominican Republic ## Overview **Name:** Academia de la Costa RD **Description:** Academia de la Costa is a martial arts academy and grassroots community center based in Cabarete, Dominican Republic. Locally known as The Academy, the organization was founded in 2006 by Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belts Tomas "Papo" Soñé and Joe Neurauter. Their mission is to foster local talents in sports, art, and culture while teaching, inspiring, and empowering economically disadvantaged children and young adults through martial arts. The Academy offers daily Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, Kickboxing, and Muay Thai classes, as well as private lessons, group workshops, and personal defense training. Through their scholarship programs and "pay what you can" sliding scale fee model, they make martial arts accessible to community members who may have otherwise lacked direction or opportunity. Head instructor Tomas "Papo" Soñé is a third-degree BJJ black belt under the lineage of Mamoro Matsunaga and Abraham Tabar, the father of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the Dominican Republic. The Academy has trained and mentored numerous local athletes who have gone on to compete internationally, including Alex Garcia (the first Dominican MMA competitor in the UFC), Delvin Reyes, Henry Jiménez, Patrick Mendoza, and Iskania Perez. Beyond martial arts, the Academy organized the first street art festival in Cabarete, co-founded the Cabarete Carnaval in 2015, and helped establish Cabarete Sostenible in 2020, a non-profit addressing food insecurity through community-led agriculture. The octopus logo symbolizes expansion, versatility, and fluidity—values applicable to both Jiu Jitsu and their cultural projects. **Status:** Active ## Contact Information **Address:** La Cuesta Santo Domingo Oeste, Dominican Republic **Phone:** +1 829-308-1740 **Email:** tashp94@yahoo.com **Website:** https://www.jiujitsudelacosta.com **Social Media:** - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/academiadelacosta/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcademiadelaCosta ## Instructors ### Tomas Papo Soñé - Black **Role:** Head Instructor **Bio:** Tomas 'Papo' Soñé is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt (third rank/dan), mixed martial arts instructor, and former professional MMA fighter. His lineage goes back to Mamoro Matsunaga (considered the father of Dominican Judo) and Abraham Tabar (father of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Vale Tudo/MMA in the Dominican Republic). Originally from Santo Domingo, Papo has lived in Cabarete for over 15 years. He is co-founder and President of Cabarete Sostenible, a non-profit addressing food insecurity through community-led agriculture. ### Iskania Livanessa Perez Peña - Brown **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Iskania Livanessa Perez Peña was born in Montecristi, Dominican Republic and grew up in Cabarete. She began practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at age 16 and is currently a brown belt, instructor, and international competitor under Academia de la Costa. She is completing her higher education in Physical Education at the Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo and currently serves as Head of School at 3 Mariposas Montessori in Cabarete. In her free time, she surfs and provides accessible fitness classes to women and girls of La Cienega, Cabarete. ### Joseph Michael Neurauter - Black **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt and co-founder of Academia de la Costa in 2006 alongside Tomas 'Papo' Soñé. ## Programs ### BJJ Beginners **Skill Level:** Beginner **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** Beginner-friendly Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program focusing on fundamentals, self-defense techniques, and building a strong foundation. Classes include warm-up, physical conditioning, technique breakdown, and drilling. Rolling is optional after class times. **Classes:** ### BJJ Intermediate/Advanced **Skill Level:** Intermediate **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** Advanced Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training for experienced practitioners. Focus on advanced techniques, competition preparation, and intensive drilling. Rolling is optional after class times. **Classes:** ### Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for Children **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** kids **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Children's BJJ program (ages 4-10) using martial arts in a fun, organized, and safe environment. Curriculum features ongoing lessons on anti-bullying, street awareness, avoiding kidnappings, and dealing with street fights while teaching practical self-defense. **Classes:** ### Open Mat **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** all_ages **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** Open training sessions for all levels. Opportunity for free rolling and technique practice in a supportive environment. **Classes:** ### Boxing / Muay Thai Fundamentals **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** A combination of boxing, kickboxing, and muay thai techniques. Classes include warm-up, cardio exercises, and technique breakdowns utilizing punches, kicks, knees, elbows, and clinches. Sparring is optional after class times. Open to adults of all levels. **Classes:** ### Capoeira Angola **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** all_ages **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** In collaboration with Capoeira Angola Bohio (run by Alfonso Amazonas), this afro-indigenous martial art incorporates movement, flexibility, fluidity, and strength. Classes focus on movements of attack and defense, traditional songs, and playing instruments. Classes are seasonal - please confirm and reserve your spot. --- **Last Updated:** March 03, 2026 **Data Source:** BJJ.Space (https://bjj.space/gyms/dominican-republic/santo-domingo-oeste/academia-de-la-costa-rd)